Half·cock v. t. [imp. & p. p. Halfcocked p. pr. & vb. n. Halfcocking.] To set the cock of (a firearm) at the first notch.
To go off half-cocked, To go off halfcocked. (a) To be discharged prematurely, or with the trigger at half cock; -- said of a firearm. (b) To do or say something without due thought or care. [Colloq. or Low]
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half-cock
n : confusion resulting from lack of preparation